Thursday night saw me enjoying the fine wordsmiths and musicians that are Mumford and Sons at The Academy. The four piece outfit from London have burst onto the scene in Ireland in particular over the last six months cementing a reputation as men of poetic lyrics combined with bluegrass/folk music priming you for a hoedown and a nice relaxing listen all at the same time. Debuting this year with their seminal album Sigh No More they have opened up a generation to a whole new genre of music and diverted tired eyes and ears away from the cumbersome indie scene of late that is becoming saturated with carbon copies and lacking in immediate imagination.
That is not to say that Mumford and Sons themselves may be guilty of recreating their own sound over and over again on their own debut album. However I think they may be excused because of their existential lyrics that ring through like a young poet seeing the world with fresh eyes.Or just check out CSNY. You may be forgiven for thinking you have heard the same notes twice on different tracks but you wont mistake the lyrics. Songs like The Cave, Roll Away Your Stone, White Blank Page and Winter Winds are stand out tracks. What amazed me at the gig was the sheer talent of every single member of the band. They chopped and changed at ease from drums to piano to bass to lead vocals and every single member carried out their task with aplomb. Marcus Mumford's (the lead vocalist) voice is unmistakeable and leaves an indelible mark on the mind. Whoever has heard this man singing will recognise his voice immediately.
They have supported the songstress Laura Marling but have toured extensively over the last two years in England in particular and forged a reputation as live force to be reckoned with. With their melancholic voices and love of folk and bluegrass they seemed to have identified and a hit a chord with people on this side of the ocean. They have managed to sell more albums here than anywhere else. Perhaps it is the inherent love of folk and storytelling that appeals to the people of this island. With Marcus Mumford explaining Little Lion Man and White Blank Page to be a part of an ongoing story line, I have no doubt they will continue onto bigger and better things and will always have a place in the hearts of people who love a story in song.
Mumford and Sons with their pianoes, double bass', guitars and banjoes are Marcus Mumford, Country Winston, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane.
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